Iranian Vice Presidential Pick --- REJECTED

For those that think Iran is a country filled unicorn riding, rainbow watching, misunderstood petulant children this should remove all doubt, as if beating women in public for inappropriate dress, hanging gays and murdering protesters wasn't enough evidence.

Ahmadinnerjackets recent pick to be vice president, which involved a heavy dose of nepotism, has been rejected by the real guy in charge, Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

What did he find objectionable in this choice? This.

Mashai angered hard-liners in 2008 when he said Iranians were "friends of all people in the world - even Israelis."

That little part about Israel didn't sit too well with the hard liners who hold power in Iran and pull Ahmadinejaid's strings.

Meanwhile I am sure the Obama administration will continue to seek out a chance to sit down with these folks, since they have unclenched their fist and all.

Israelis Intercept Iranian 'Aid' Ship Bound for Gaza; Free Gaza Kooks Launch Again

Yes, I'm sure it was all just food and medicine. Considering Iran is the chief sponsor of Hamas, I have a sneaking suspicion there may have been more than just "aid" on board.

The Israeli navy intercepted an Iranian ship loaded with medicine, food and clothing destined for Gaza and forced the vessel to Egypt instead, Iran's state television reported Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in a gesture of support with the Palestinians in Gaza, Iran's top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a religious opinion, or fatwa, declaring the purchase of any Israeli goods or trade with Israeli companies to be forbidden.

Israel's offensive in Gaza, which Palestinian medical officials say has killed more than 940 Palestinians since Dec. 27, has sparked outrage in Iran and throughout the Muslim world. Israel has said it launched its campaign to stop rocket fire aimed at civilians in southern Israeli towns by the militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Iran is Hamas' main backer, providing it political and financial support, though Tehran denies sending the organization weapons.

Meanwhile, a boatload of leftist crackpots has once again set sail from Gaza, just begging to be torpedoed.

International activists left Cyprus for Gaza on Wednesday in a renewed bid to deliver about five tons of donated food and medical supplies to the Palestinian territory despite an Israeli naval blockade.

Free Gaza group organizers replaced a faulty generator on their 66-foot (20-meter) Greek-flagged vessel and set sail from Larnaca port with 21 passengers.

The group aborted the trip to Gaza on Monday after rough weather and engine trouble 40 nautical miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Larnaca forced their return.

Crazy Man Calls Bush Mentally Ill

The Democrats will be lapping this one up since they feel the same way about George W. Bush.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday his country will continue with its controversial nuclear program, but rejected nuclear weapons.

The country's supreme leader also said U.S. President George W. Bush and his advisers are acting erratically and sound mentally ill.

"Sometimes they threaten, sometimes they order assassinations ... and sometimes they ask for help — it's like mad people staggering to and fro," he said.

Khamenei, who has final say in all matters in Iran, spoke at a ceremony Tuesday honoring the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

"Iran is after the peaceful use of nuclear energy and we will strongly pursue and reach it despite the envy of our enemies," he said.

"No wise nation is interested in making a nuclear weapon," since it is not logical and cannot be used, added.

Now in news sure to raise eyebrows, a majority apparently thinks it's just fine to meet with these maniacs.

While John McCain is trying to beat up Barack Obama over his willingness to meet with America's enemies, most Americans agree with Obama, according to a new poll out today.

Gallup found that 67 percent of Americans support the president meeting with leaders of countries considered US enemies; 79 percent of Democrats think so, as do 70 percent of independents. Only a slight majority of Republicans, 51 percent, oppose such talks.

In terms of talking in particular to Iran, which other polls show is considered America's top enemy, 59 percent of Americans favor such discussions. Among Democrats, 71 percent support talks, as do 58 percent of independents. Again, only a slim majority of Republicans, 51 percent, are opposed.

The Gallup survey was conducted May 19-21 among 1,103 Americans and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Wonderful.

Iran Monitoring U.S. Troop Movements?

Not that using satellite technology is anything new in warfare, but it's curious that they're making note of it while their carnival act of a "president" is traipsing around New York.

Iran watching U.S. troops, says in missile range

TEHRAN (Reuters) - U.S. troop movements are being monitored by Iran using satellites and other technology and would be in range of Iranian missiles if an attack was launched, a top Iranian military official said.

In remarks published by Iranian newspapers on Monday, Yahya Rahim Safavi, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also said he did not expect any U.S. attack because America was too bogged down in Iraq.

Bogged down, according to them. Though if the time comes to take out the Iranian nuclear sites, we won't be using ground forces currently stationed in Iraq.

Speculation about a U.S. attack has been spurred on by comments by French officials who have said an extra diplomatic push was needed to avoid the possibility of a war with Iran.

"Iran has now a strong intelligence system and missiles. We are closely watching the foreigners' moves in neighboring countries by highly advanced satellite technology and advanced radars. If they enter our airspace or our territorial waters, they will get a fair response," Rahim Safavi said.

"It seems very unlikely that foreign troops in the region could start another attack because they have been busy with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and they should focus on that," he added in comments carried by Iran Daily.

Sounds more like they're trying to discourage an attack by using such bluster.

Khamenei Goes HuffPost on Bush

This 7th century clown has really missed the boat.

Leftwing cretins all over the Internet have been uttering this drivel for years now.

Doesn't he read the Huffington Post?

Iran Leader: Bush Will Be Tried

TEHRAN, Iran -- President Bush will one day be tried in court just like deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein for his involvement in the Iraq tragedy, Iran's supreme leader said Friday.

Speaking to thousands of worshippers during the first Friday prayer of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Bush will be called to account for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

"A day will come that the current U.S. president and officials will be tried in an international supreme court for the catastrophes they caused in Iraq," he said.

"Americans will have to answer for why they don't end occupation of Iraq and why waves of terrorism and insurgency have overwhelmed the country," he added. "It will not be like this forever and some day they will be stopped as happened to Hitler, Saddam and certain other European leaders."

Khamenei mocked the U.S., describing the recent congressional testimony of the top U.S. officials in Iraq as a sign of weakness and the failure of American policy in the war torn country.

He's right about the weakness part. Democrats should be proud for leading that effort.

Killing in the Name of Islam OK in Iran

Do these sound like people we should have a dialogue with?

The Iranian Supreme Court has overturned the murder convictions of six members of a prestigious state militia who killed five people they considered “morally corrupt.”

The reversal, in an infamous five-year-old case from Kerman, in central Iran, has produced anger and controversy, with lawyers calling it corrupt and newspapers giving it prominence.

“The psychological consequences of this case in the city have been great, and a lot of people have lost their confidence in the judicial system,” Nemat Ahmadi, a lawyer associated with the case, said in a telephone interview.

Three lower court rulings found all the men guilty of murder. Their cases had been appealed to the Supreme Court, which overturned the guilty verdicts. The latest decision, made public this week, reaffirms that reversal.

“The objection by the relatives of the victims is dismissed, and the ruling of this court is confirmed,” the court said in a one-page verdict.

These savages behead thieves and chop of hands, but killing in the name of their "religion" is fine.

According to the Supreme Court’s earlier decision, the killers, who are members of the Basiji Force, volunteer vigilantes favored by the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, considered their victims morally corrupt and, according to Islamic teachings and Iran’s Islamic penal code, their blood could therefore be shed.

The last victims, for example, were a young couple engaged to be married who the killers claimed were walking together in public.

Members of the Basiji Force are known for attacking reformist politicians and pro-democracy meetings. President Ahmadinejad was a member of the force, but the Supreme Court judges who issued the ruling are not considered to be specifically affiliated with it.

By all necessary means, these madmen must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons.

More at Captain's Quarters, Sweetness & Light, Riehl Worl View, Atlas Shrugs.

UPDATE: The utterly useless IAEA has confirmed the Iranians have 1300 centrifuges in operation. Lovely.